BECOME part of a bustling river scene in an 11th century painting scroll, at the exhibition A Moving Masterpiece: The Song Dynasty As Living Art, which opens here tomorrow.

In a hallway at the exhibition, a camera will capture an image of passers-by and project it onto Zhang Zeduan's classic Qing Ming Shang He Tu (Along The River During Qing Ming Festival).

Visitors can also sample food from present-day Kaifeng in China, where the painting is set.

These features were added here for the exhibition's first stop in South-east Asia.

The main highlight is still the football field-length reproduction of Zhang's work, which depicts everyday scenes in Bianjing, China's capital at the time (now Kaifeng in Henan province).

More than 1,000 characters in the scroll are brought to life by digital animation, and over 10 million people have seen the work, which made its debut at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. It was also shown in Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei.

However, the Singapore show organisers - Chinese digital technology company Shanghai Crystal CG, China-Singapore business liaison and consultancy firm Singapore Huading, and Singex Group, which manages Singapore Expo - have added pre- and post-show elements to the original exhibition.

Singex chief executive Aloysius Arlando, 43, said: 'The pre-show and post-show halls, which showcase the Song dynasty, will bring out the essence of the era and let visitors better appreciate it. We wanted people to be able to immerse in the exhibition.'

The 2,500 sq m pre-show hall will be divided into five themes - fire, earth, gold, wood and water. Each element represents a value held dear during the Song dynasty, such as pragmatism and perseverance.

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In addition to the exhibits in the pre-show hall, the organisers have created a free mobile application called Living Legend, which has games and trivia about the Song dynasty.

Merchandise will also be available, including a scroll replica of Qing Ming Shang He Tu, etched in gold and priced at $2,888. It is limited to 999 pieces.

A part of the post-show hall will re-create a night market from the Song dynasty. Servers dressed in period costumes will roam around the 800 sq m area. About 15 stalls will serve food such as shallot-stuffed pancake and beggar's chicken, priced between $2 and $5.

About the exhibition

A MOVING MASTERPIECE: THE SONG DYNASTY AS LIVING ART

Where: Hall 3, Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre

When: Tomorrow to Feb 6 next year; weekdays from noon to 9pm, weekends and public holidays from 9am to 9pm

Admission: $11 for all from tomorrow to Dec 9 for tickets purchased on site; $18 for adults; $13 for students, those above 60 years old and children between three and 12; free for children below three